Common Causes of Clogged Drains and Methods to Prevent them

Gunjan thakurSeptember 9, 2022

Clogged drains in your house can be very harmful in the long run. Especially if you leave a clogged drain unattended for a long time, it can cause severe damages like corrosion and flooding etc which will lead to costly repairs. A clogged drain slows down the flow of water going down the drain.

A clogged drain is the most common plumbing problem that nearly every homeowner has to experience. Clogged drains mostly occur in summer months due to excessive use of showers. However the good news is that you can save yourself from clogging issues very easily and without spending a single penny. In this article, we will tell you about the things that can cause clogs and also some inexpensive and easy methods to prevent them.  

Common Causes of Clogged Drains

Some of the most common causes of clogged drains are given below.

1. Hair

One of the most common causes of clogged drains is hair. When hair goes inside the drains, they combine with grease or any other sticky substance inside the drain and clog it. The best way is to use the guards or covers on all drains in your house. The cover or guard will trap the hair and will not allow going inside the drain. Another tip is that you should brush your hair before every shower so that very less hair will break during shower and you will be saved from a clogged drain.

2. Soap

You will be surprised to know that soap can also be the culprit in clogging your drains. We all know that soap is made up of animal fat and grease. When it mixes up with water, it creates scum that sticks inside the pipes making a clog. Therefore you should always clean the drains with high pressure water to wash away the soap build up inside the pipes. You can hire professional drain cleaning services aroun your palace.

3. Dirt and Dust

You may think that drains in your house are designed and built to wash away everything that goes inside them. However this is not true. The dirt and dust particles from your body, clothes and shoes etc goes into the drains when you wash them. These particles make a residue and build up inside the drains with the passage of time. As a result, clogs are formed in drains. Therefore to avoid clogs, you should get rid of the dirt and dust particles on your belongings outside before washing them in the drains.

4. Food Waste

If you have a sink with garbage disposal, even then you should not let the food particles and food waste go down your kitchen sink drain. These particles along with grease and oil can form a strong scum inside the drain and can cause clogs. Therefore to avoid such a situation you should collect the food waste in a paper towel and dispose of it in the compost bin instead of letting it drain away into the pipes.

5. Mineral Buildup

If the water in your area contains large amounts of minerals, then you have to worry about your drains. Hard water can create insoluble masses that lead to build up inside the drains causing a clog. To prevent this situation you can get a water softener for your home or you can scrub away the build up with a tooth brush after every 5-7 days.

Methods to Prevent Clogged Drains

Some of the most common methods to prevent clogged drains are given below.

1. Boiling Water

Whenever there is a clogged drain in your house, the first remedy is to use boiling water. Pouring lots of boiling water down the clogged drain can help in melting down the buildup, scum or grease and unclogging the drain. It is also suggested that you should pour down boiling water in your house drains after every two weeks to prevent the clogs.

2. Try a Plunger

A plunger is a device that is easily available at your local hardware store. It is used very commonly to unclog drains. Nearly every household has a plunger. First fill the sink with hot water. Place the plunger on the drain and start pulling it towards yourself. Pull quickly and repeat several times. After that, pull out the plunger and see if the water is draining out normally or not. If the water is still flowing slowly then repeat the process.

3. Baking Soda and Vinegar Mixture

Instead of using chemical cleaners, you can make a homemade cleaner that is not only inexpensive but very much effective as well. We suggest using this mixture once a month to prevent the clogging of drains. You can use vinegar and baking soda to unclog a drain. Take a cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain. Then pour down a cup of white vinegar. You will hear a fizzing sound. After that pour down water to see if it flows normally. If not, then repeat the process.

Final Comments

You can easily save your drains from clogging by acting on the above tips. However, if you face a clogged drain then you can take help from any of the above methods for your help.